In previous years I’ve done yearly predictions for the coming year’s events in the stem cell world (see predictions for 2011 and 2012 predictions). I did pretty well in my predicting stem cell events for this year (see analysis here) scoring a respectable 70%. Isn’t that a C-?,you might ask. No, when it comes to […]
My stem cell predictions for 2013 Read More »
One of the most exciting types of stem cells are mesenchymal stem cells or MSCs. Although there is some debate about these cells (e.g. I once heard Irv Weissman say at a meeting he wasn’t sure they really existed as such), a consensus would seem to be that they have great potential medical potential. Perhaps
Mapping global trends in MSC & stem cell clinical trials: unexpected findings Read More »
The FDA warning letter that Celltex received in late September (but that just went public yesterday–see my initial reaction here) is a possible game-changer for that company in my opinion. Why? The letter outlined in great detail the FDA’s concerns with how Celltex manufactures its stem cell product ranging from lack of documentation to concerns about aseptic/sterile
Will stem cell clinic Celltex reinvent itself after game-changing FDA warning letter? Read More »
“I lied to patients,” testified a weeping, young woman in court related to a fraud allegation involving stem cells. She had worked as an office assistant at a company that injected bogus and potentially dangerous cow-based “stem cell” treatments into human patients. This company, which in different incarnations went by various names including Biomark in
Testimony in supermodel stem cell fraud case: “I lied to patients” Read More »
Imagine for a moment that you are out in open water swimming peacefully in the ocean off of…let’s say for the heck of it, the coast of Mexico. You’re out there paddling around in your nifty swim trunks sipping one of those neat drinks with the little umbrellas. Suddenly you jerk out of your inflatable
Advice to dubious stem cell clinics: shape up or shut down today Read More »
For the first time to my knowledge, patients have sued a dubious stem cell clinic (RNL Bio) for fraud. As one stem cell expert has put it (see below), now there is “blood in the water”. RNL Bio of Korea has reportedly (hat tip to Leigh Turner) just been sued for fraud by patients related to stem
Korean stem cell clinic sued by patients in U.S. for fraud Read More »
This post is focused on the important facts you need to know about stem cells as drugs. Many of the folks out there who want to earn a living to scamming vulnerable patients with so-called “stem cell treatments” have been upset that the U.S. FDA continues to view stem cell-based therapies and indeed cell therapies
Stem cell treatments, drugs, and the key facts you need to know Read More »
There was another federal indictment just handed down that alleges that one Francisco Morales (aka Dr. Frank Morales) broke the law with stem cells. Allegedly he took umbilical cords (telling patients that they would be used for medical research), facilitated isolation of stem cells, and shipped them out of state to be used in dubious
Indicted alleged stem cell predator Morales & Margolis: any links? Read More »
Last week I posted a stem cell treatment poll. I was curious about people’s experiences and attitudes toward non-FDA approved stem cell treatments. During my time as a stem cell scientist and educator, I have met many people, some of whom have told me about their experiences with stem cell treatments. The results of the
Surprising stem cell treatment poll results Read More »
It was only six months ago that the stem cell field was aflutter over the report by the Rossi group that they could reprogram iPS cells with an astonishingly high efficiency using just RNAs. This completely non-genetic, high efficiency approach seemed like a revolution for the iPS cell field. It also seemed like what we
Is RNA-based iPS cell production a flash in the pan/tissue culture dish? Read More »